The Legal Framework and Institutional Assistance for
Refugees in Brazil

Heidi Savabi

This paper provides a history of Brazil’s refugee-related legislation and details deepening cooperation among the country’s governmental organizations, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations. The information is examined in the context of specific refugee trends, integration, and challenges faced. (Savabi completed a double major in International Studies and Latin American Studies at the University of Miami).

This paper provides a comparative study of the conflicts in Syria and Libya through the lens of their impact on migration. The author elaborates a typology that sheds light on the different populations at risk, their classification as migrants, and approaches to them by regional organizations and other actors. (McClinton is completing a triple major in International Studies, Marine Affairs, and Economics at UM).

The paper offers a wealth of information about Brazilian immigration to the United States in recent years, with a focus on South Florida and the Brazilian-origin population of the area. The information is examined in light of issues pertaining to the migration context and the immigrants’ contributions in South Florida, among other related topics. (Almeida is completing a Master degree in Intercultural Communications at the University of Miami)

The paper presents a preliminary fieldwork-based study of English language and professional training programs currently available to immigrants in Miami-Dade County. It offers a directory of programs and sheds light on the efforts that are being made by immigrants and educational institutions to serve the skilled, education-driven immigrant population in Miami. (Romig is completing a double major in Journalism and International Studies at the University of Miami.)

This paper examines major migration trends from Colombia to the U.S. between 1996 and 2012, a period encompassing what is known as “the Third Colombian Diaspora or migratory wave”. The paper uses immigration data on Florida and its main metropolitan areas: admissions, affirmative and defensive asylum seekers, and rate of naturalizations. (Lugo is a Ph.D. student in the Department of International Studies at the University of Miami).

This paper describes the most important demographic and socioeconomic indicators for Colombians in Florida, Miami-Dade, and Broward counties between 2007 and 2011. It uses a comparative perspective and statistical data from the Yearbook of Immigration (1996-2012) and the American Community Survey (2007-2011) to argue that Florida became the most important entry point for Colombians, exceeding the Greater New York area (the historical core for Colombians in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s). (Lugo is a Ph.D. student in the Department of International Studies at the University of Miami).

The paper presents the results of a preliminary study of private medical practices in the areas where a relatively large number of Russian-origin health care professionals practice medicine and patients from the same origin receive medical care. (Gomozova completed a Master degree in International Administration (MAIA) at the University of Miami)

The paper sheds light on key aspects pertaining to justice in the U.S. health care system as they affect farmworkers. The author applies the theoretical framework “wellness as fairness” to illustrate the justice in U.S. health care policy and its relevance for the well-being of farmworkers. (Delgado studies a double major in Neuroscience and International Studies at the University of Miami and has been admitted as a Harvard University medical student beginning in the Fall of 2013.)

English Language and Professional Training Programs for Immigrants in Miami

Hannah Romig

This paper describes a sample of the existing English language and professional training programs available to immigrants in Miami. By outlining the basic elements for a number of programs, the goal is to provide readers with an awareness of the efforts that are being made by both immigrant actors and educational institutions to serve the skilled, education-driven immigrant population in Miami. (Romig is completing a double major in Journalism and International Studies at the University of Miami.)

The paper contributes fresh information and analysis to an ongoing study by the author on the emigration of investors, professionals and other highly-skilled workers from Venezuela’s government-owned oil company Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA) since 1999. The author discusses migration trends from Venezuela to the United States, Canada and Colombia as major destination points and various structural and behavioral aspects shaping them. (Vázquez is a Ph.D. (ABD) in International Studies at the University of Miami.)

The paper discusses the phenomenon of pregnant women giving birth in other countries in relation to family strategies and the “replacement migration” phenomenon. Usually, works on “anchor babies” tend to emphasize acquisition of citizenship or other immigration-related benefits from the countries where women go to give birth, yet little is said about the demographic and socioeconomic aspects that also benefit the societies where women give birth. (Guerrero is a Spanish attorney pursuing a degree in Business Administration. She studied at the University of Miami as part of an exchange program with Universidad Pontificia de Comillas, Madrid.)

The interviews presented in this volume focus on some of the major problems of the immigration system from different standpoints, what specific organizations are doing to protect or assist immigrant families and their expectations about comprehensive immigration reform.

Interview with Dr. Iftikher Mahmood

By Jessica L. Lawson

Dr.Iftikher Mahmood is a Miami based pediatrician and the founder and president of the Hope Foundation for Women and Children of Bangladesh.
He is transnationally engaged in health care projects between the U.S. and Bangladesh with the foundation he started in Miami in 2000.

Cheryl Little is Director of America for Immigrant Justice; immigration legal counsel and advocacy organization based in Miami and Washington. This interview focuses on the issue of Immigrant Justice in America, with a focus on South Florida.